Upper Creek Falls Loop Trail

Upper Creek Falls Loop Trail is a 1.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Newland, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.

DISTANCE

1.5 miles

ELEVATION GAIN

426 feet

ROUTE TYPE

Loop

dog friendly

birding

camping

hiking

nature trips

walking

forest

river

views

waterfall

wild flowers

rocky

snow

Great waterfalls, huge boulders and pools, and a large overhanging rock.
There are two ways you can start out. Either the Upper Falls trail or the Lower Falls trail. If you start out on one you can come back on the other and make a complete loop. The Upper Falls trail is much steeper. So it is a good one to take down to the falls, cross the creek and go down the trail to the lower crossing and then come back up the Lower Falls trail. As soon as you leave the parking lot, the trails starts to decend rather quickly and very steeply down. The closer you get to the creek and falls, the down slope gets steeper. After you cross the creek using rocks sticking up out of the creek, the trail still goes in a down slope to the lower crossing. The trail crossings are very well marked with signs. This is a state maintained park.
The upper falls crossing has a set of man made wooden steps and "bridge" to help you from the falls up to the Upper Falls trail or vis versa, to help you down to the creek side and top of falls. There is one scenic view on the Upper Falls trail to stop and see a swimming hole in the creek above the falls. The view is far above looking very far down onto the creek and small set of the falls above the main falls. There is a rope swing, used by many to swing out and drop off into the "pool", very deep water pooled in the creek. The water stays ice cold year around. You can also use the smaller falls as a slide down into the "pool". There is a spectacular view of the lower valley below the falls from atop the main falls edge. You can see for miles down the river valley. Very pretty during the summer months, green trees lining the mountains for miles down the valley. During the winter months can see snow covered mountains for miles. There are quite a few picturesque views to take. This trail is not for the elderly or weak at heart. Several strenious stretchs of the trail. The Lower Falls trail is not as steep but still down slopeing at points.
There is a small area after crossing the creek on the Upper Falls trail above the main waterfall, that some use as a camping or gathering spot. Leveled and cleared out spot in the forest. With a campfire area and large enough area for a large tent. They do allow swimming and camping here.
There is a small trail that goes up to the swimming hole and points north of the main falls after you cross the creek into the "camping" area. Turn left and go up the rarely used trail. If you wish to go to the swimming hole area, you can also walk the large boulders before crossing the creek on Upper Falls trail,along the creek side up to the large boulders surrounding the "pool" swimming hole.

It was not the hardest hike I've ever done but will be one of my favorites. The falls were beautiful. The hike to the falls was easy to follow and there were many little trails around the falls to explore the falls in more detail. Once we crossed over to continue on the trail it became difficult to follow. We did a lot of bushwacking and stayed close to the trail only because of the alltrails map. With this being said, it was a lot of fun. We were determined to find a place to cross back once we saw the trail continuing on the other side. We did have to get creative and had to go below the trail to find a place to cross. We walked, climbed,scooted across a couple fallen logs with the water rushing under our feet and then jump across another rock. We thought it was a blast but might would be too difficult for someone older or without good balance. Once we reached the other side the trail was easy to follow the rest of the way with a gradual incline. This will definitely become a regular hike and possible camping spot.

I did this hike early morning and really enjoyed it. You can hear the traffic on 181 when you first start out but you diverge from the highway soon. There is lots to explore on the rocks along the river. The hike down is easy and the climb back up isn't too strenuous, but there are lots of rocks and roots along the way. Some people have been making their own trail straight up the mountain causing erosion, try to stay to the switchbacks.

Short, beautiful trail through the woods to the falls and back- lots of roots, a little steep, but so worth it. Swimming and boulder climbing opportunities. Huge area of flattish, smooth rock to relax on at Lower Falls. Beautiful view off the top of the fall at Upper Falls. Half way between Upper Falls and Lower Falls, you can find another spot with a cascade and boulders. Trail isn't marked well there. Will go back!

We did this hike with kids ranging from 8-12. Great time. I wanted to note that the first set of pools, just after a wood set of stairs, is the upper falls. We missed it and had to double back. The swimming area is just above there.

Upper Falls trail leads to a great swimming hole complete with rope swing and sliding rock. Excellent in every way! I will be revisiting this one. Lowe Falls trail is also nice, but more difficult and not as easy to follow.